A Reflection on the State of the Philippine Progressive Movement and Our Future

I wrote the comment below on a facebook post of a friend, James, a young activist, who opined about the ongoing tussle between Akbayan and Anakbayan and who shouted out a challenge for 'alternative' left forces in the Philippine progressive movement:

I agree, James, with most of your points. This statement though needs to have some rethinking: "This is a challenge to all of us in the progressive movement: If we perceive Anakbayan, and its affiliates in the BAYAN bloc, as a threat to our model of change, then there is no other way but to out-organize them - to match and surpass the commitment, creativity, and dynamism of their organizers." 

Perceiving Anakbayan "as a threat to our model of change"??? Matching and surpassing "the commitment, creativity, and dynamism of their organizers"??? And that "there is no other way but to out-organize them"??? 

If this is our punto de vista, we let them define not only our movement, but our very own sense of purpose and meaning, our very own lives. In effect, we are letting them having a control over our psyche, values, worldview, and indeed our own lives! 

I believe that we — as forces of resistance and change — can only be strengthened with a new awareness (i.e., an active awareness that we have to construct, not being captive by the left's ugly past nor by whims of the media, but informed by historical lessons, present circumstances, and future goals). This is something that needs to be honed by/among us, lest we lead to barbarism. Remember Tita Rosa's choice "socialism or barbarism"! 

Nurturing the understanding of the past, our present conditions, and the future prospects is an imperative for us that brooks all other considerations.

Here's the original post by James:

There is a reason why Anakbayan thinks they can pull this stunt vs. Akbayan and still survive the consequent backlash: they have numerous committed organizers on the ground, in the youth and student sector. Regardless of its perceived unpopularity, Anakbayan will still be able to attract a substantial number of young followers from universities and communities because they have cadres on the ground continuously talking to people in the sector. What is one black eye seen on TV compared to day-to-day conversations and painstaking political education?

This is a challenge to all of us in the progressive movement: If we perceive Anakbayan, and its affiliates in the BAYAN bloc, as a threat to our model of change, then there is no other way but to out-organize them - to match and surpass the commitment, creativity, and dynamism of their organizers. It cannot be done through facebook or media airwar, or even with a correct ideological line.